Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story

This expansive documentary vividly captures the Los Angeles music scene starting from the late-1980s, centering around a band that was hailed as the "next big thing." What sets this apart from standard fan service music docs is how intimately the film captures the McDonald brothers' relationship. The filmmaker captures all the friction and struggle of being in a band without dipping into the typical rockdoc melodrama. Within the tension, there is humor and warmth.

The film gets into the mythology that grew around the band - their brushes with success, their giving the finger to the establishment, etc. In doing so, it explores what defines success. There's a rock star success spectrum that spans from Quixotic self-destruction on the infrared end to sellout commercialism on the ultraviolet side. As the band navigates the shades of orange and yellow on the spectrum, we see them making these decisions that aren't necessarily in their best interest, but we are (mostly) totally on their side. And while they might not have become zillionaires or household names, they've done all right on their own terms.

Their journey also reinforces this idea that to be anywhere on that spectrum (or most other artistic success spectra) requires singular, maniacal focus that most of us lack. But I'm glad that there are magnificent rock nerds like the McDonalds who have it.

You don't need to know Redd Kross' music to appreciate this movie. It's funny, accessible, candid, and visually rich. I was riveted with a smile for 90+ minutes. This movie needs to be seen!